asked the Minister for Defence if he has concluded his consideration of a proposal from the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen to establish a home for ex-soldiers, which he indicated in Dáil Éireann on 29 October 1987 was under consideration; if he will give the conclusion, if any, of his considerations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen.
6.
(Limerick West): On 29 October 1987 I told the Deputy that I had met a deputation from the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women to discuss, among other things, their desire to establish a home for ex-soldiers.
I told the deputation that any proposal ONE might make in this regard would be carefully examined bearing in mind current financial and budgetary constraints. No proposal was made to me, to date, by ONE.
This has come as a shock to me. Perhaps the Minister could clarify what he means when he said no proposal has been made to him because I am sure many other Deputies have been approached by ONE. Is the Minister aware that the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen have made a number of proposals in deputations to Deputies in regard to use of different premises in Dublin? One might have been in Griffith Barracks but I cannot remember the locations. Have none of these proposals of areas that could be used for the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen as homes for former members of the Defence Forces who are now in dire need been put to the Minister? I am sure the Minister has been shown the details of the problems arising.
(Limerick West): As I have said, no proposals have been put before me as of now. I am open to examine any proposal which ONE would be prepared to put to me. I would examine it very carefully because I am very sympathetic to the work of ONE. I took it upon myself recently to open a national headquarters for their organisation in Cork. I am prepared to look very sympathetically at any proposal they put before me. As of yet, no such proposal has come before me.
I accept the point the Minister has made but I am quite surprised. Have they made a request to the Minister to provide a premises in some place which they could have used? They may not have had a firm proposal for a premises in a specific place. Have they made a request for use of some premises which comes under the Minister's jurisdiction? In conversations with Dublin Corporation, which I understand the Minister's Department have had, was any proposal made to come up with a premises from Dublin Corporation or from the Army?
(Limerick West): Not specifically by the ONE. The question of establishing an ex-soldier's home on the same lines as that available to former gardaí has been examined by the military authorities on a number of occasions. The main conclusion has been that the small number of personnel who might avail of such a house would not justify its establishment. That is not to say that if I had a firm proposal from the ONE I would not have it examined sympathetically.
What would the Minister regard as a firm proposal?
(Limerick West): What I would regard as a firm proposal would be for a definite area and a definite place, its administration and the number of personnel who would avail of it. I would need that information from the ONE as well. It would be examined very sympathetically.